Labour Market Update - Cape Breton

Xstrata Coal Donkin management announced it would move ahead with an underground coal mining operation in Donkin, although on a smaller scale than originally expected.  The focus will be on mining coking coal used in many industrial processes,  which will likely be sold to markets in Europe, South America, India and China.  The operation will include the construction of a coal washing plant and a barge where coal will be loaded onto large ships.  The mining operation will employ an estimated 200 persons onsite, and company officials estimated another 1,000 spin-off jobs.  With annual production estimated at 2.75 million tonnes, officials estimated that the mine's resources could support production for well over 25 years.  Cape Breton Post, February 2, 2010

The Chéticamp façade and streetscape program will involve eligible businesses from the Chéticamp River to the Grand Étang border.  The $1.3 million project will be administered over a period ending January 31, 2011 with major funding from Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation and Nova Scotia Rural Economic Development.  Inverness Oran, February 3, 2010

Signature Styles Canada Corp.  of New Waterford will receive a $1.8 million forgivable loan from the provincial government's Industrial Expansion Fund to invest in new technology and position the contact centre for future growth.  In return, the company is investing $6 million and must maintain current employment levels to qualify for loan forgiveness.  The company has operated in New Waterford since 2003 and employs approximately 350 people. Cape Breton Post, February 12, 2010

Construction of Meadows Pharmasave in Sydney Forks is nearing the final stages.  The new pharmacy outlet will also include a medical clinic, and is slated to open this spring.  Cape Breton Post, February 17, 2010

Construction is set to begin on a new $2 million cultural and heritage centre in North Sydney.   The centre will be built by Joneljim Concrete Construction and will house several organizations, including the local MLA constituency office and the Northside branch of the Cape Breton Regional Library.  Cape Breton Post, February 20, 2010

New Page Corp. announced that the corporation's sales declined by 29 percent in 2009, but that it expected to take less market-related downtime at its mills this year.  Sales of coated paper declined during 2009,  although sales for  the fourth quarter were higher than the fourth quarter of 2008.  The corporation's mill at Point Tupper employs approximately 550 people.  Cape Breton Post, February 20, 2010

The Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage released statistics revealing that room nights sold in Cape Breton in 2009 were on par with the previous year.  Overall room nights sold declined in every other region in the province, and were down four percent for Nova Scotia in 2009.  Cape Breton Post, February 25, 2010

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